Should you replace rotors with every break job

[Mitch1204]

Approaching 40k miles and I suppose I should consider changing the pads, I’ve heard mixed opinions saying resurfacing isn’t ideal and you should just replace to Rotors and start from scratch with a fresh set of pads, what would you do?

Why do you replace rotors or get them turned? They can warp from excess heat and braking over time. Does your steering wheel shake back and forth when braking? Yes, then turn or replace them.

Some people neglect their brakes then you get down to metal against metal cutting grooves into your rotor. Definitely replace.

If none of the above is happening then just knock the glaze off the rotors with sandpaper. One thing I see most people miss is cleaning up and greasing your pad and pin sliding points. Replace brake hardware if necessary. If you buy new rotors it's a good time to buy new wheel bearings and a dust seal.

 

[KC5TGQ]

I just change pads unless there are grooves. Waste of money to to do otherwise.

 

[Regcabguy]

Doubtful rotors would need replaced every time you change pads.

Same here. The OEM rotors are well made. If they're not grooved and there's no pulsation keep them. I can't see funding WuHan anymore than necessary.

 

[Brad S]

It's kind of a waste to replace them every time since rotors and pads wear at different rates imo. I was always taught a quick way to check if your rotors are still good is to run your finger from the surface of the rotor out and if you feel a substantial lip on the edge its probably time to change them.

 

[Big3MG]

I replace rotors with good quality at each brake change. They are cheap and will prevent brake pulsation due to slight warp age that develops. Rotors may look fine but will have uneven groves or worn surfaces so new pads will not mate against a full metal surface. I’ve had too many occasions where a brake pedal pulses or worse, front end bounce and shake due to rotor warpage. No way. New rotors all the time.

 

[-LjH]

Why do you replace rotors or get them turned? They can warp from excess heat and braking over time. Does your steering wheel shake back and forth when braking? Yes, then turn or replace them.

Some people neglect their brakes then you get down to metal against metal cutting grooves into your rotor. Definitely replace.

If none of the above is happening then just knock the glaze off the rotors with sandpaper. One thing I see most people miss is cleaning up and greasing your pad and pin sliding points. Replace brake hardware if necessary. If you buy new rotors it's a good time to buy new wheel bearings and a dust seal.

 

[-LjH]

Rotors are cheap insurance and if you are doing front and rear you have to remove the rears to service the e brake.

 

[jr27236]

Rotors are cheap insurance and if you are doing front and rear you have to remove the rears to service the e brake.

Cheap insurance if you buy the cheap garbage, which the majority are. Simple economics at play with these, they flood rhe market with cheap parts driving down the cost making it non-economical to have them resurfaced for $10/pc when tou can buy new cheapies at $20 (i know not all are $20) plus shops would rather do a turn and burn and get the vehicle out the door that much faster then waiting on rotors to be cut.

 

[JS4024]

Simple answer: YES! No sense putting new pads on $hitty rotors even if by chance u got them turned somewhere. In the Northern part of US they won’t quote u a brake job price without new rotors due to the corrosion from road salt.

 

[JS4024]

My brakes on my 2013 RAM 2500 diesel were within specs at 125k. Had I not traded in the truck, I would have done a brake joball around. I pulled a 12k 5th wheel trailer 30% of the time and the brakes were still very good.

 

[JS4024]

All due to the engine brake. I never had to touch the brakes until I was below 20mph. I had 92k on mine and just decided to get them done preemptively

 

[Rick Gabler]

Never have changed rotors at such an early age. If you trust your mechanic like I do, I’d take their advice. Rotors last a long time. I’m easy on breaks though. I let my vehicles gradually slow down on its own. I pump the brakes as well. In other words, I’m ez on brakes.

 

[Doug Steinbach]

40k? I did my first brake pad replacement at 237k and the rotor were fine, though I replaced 30k later when I had a seal leak.

 

[studeblu]

I have been a Mechanic for over 50 years and owned my own shop for many of those. When doing brake work I would never replace rotors unless they had been warped or grooved so bad that they could not be machined. When I did need to replace them I would always get top quality factory rotors.
If buying the cheap chinese rotors they should take a light cut on a lathe to true them up.

 

[Fitz-0518]

^^^^^^Amen fully agree. When I do replace the factory rotors, I go with the high carbon steel, severe duty rotors.

 

[Robeffy]

LOL, been driving for almost 40 years. Likely replaced my rotors 3 times, maybe less? I am obviously not hard on brakes.

 

[Jim2015RAM]

I am not hard on brakes. Even though I pull my 8,000 lb race trailer almost every week in the summer. Mixed with highway driving empty. My 2015 RAM 1500 has 53,000 miles on it and I just checked the brake pad thickness, 0.30" to 0.35" And the rotors look nice too.

 

[Timsdually]

I just had the rears done on my '17. They also put on new rotors. 44,000 miles. I am hard on brakes. When you stop and think about it from a production stand point for a shop, turning rotors is a waste of time. You can swap out rotors with new in way less time than it takes to turn them on a brake lathe. That means you finish the brake job faster and get another vehicle in the bay.

 

[AE5548]

I just had the rears done on my '17. They also put on new rotors. 44,000 miles. I am hard on brakes. When you stop and think about it from a production stand point for a shop, turning rotors is a waste of time. You can swap out rotors with new in way less time than it takes to turn them on a brake lathe. That means you finish the brake job faster and get another vehicle in the bay.

Rear pads and rotors at 44k??? What kind of truck? do you just drive around with your left foot on the brake pedal? How is that possible unless you’re towing daily. I’m on my third 1500 and have done rears once. At 120k. And they weren’t even grinding.

As for turning vs replacing, your logic is backwards. For starters, you’re banking on the customer wanting to pay the added price for new rotors vs a charge to turn the current set which is always cheaper. Sure, replacing vs turning will get the vehicle done quicker if you have the rotors on hand. But if you have to order rotors from the local parts house then the “saving time” idea goes out the window. And let’s not forget turning rotors on your lathe nets more of a labor profit than the markup on a set of new rotors. And it also means not having to stock or order a set of rotors. So less inventory and waiting on parts. You can turn a set of rotors in less than 20 minutes. Doubtful the local parts house runner will get you a set delivered before you’ve removed, cut and replaced the existing rotors. A lot of shops own lathes that can cut rotors still on the vehicle now as well. Making things even faster.

In the end it comes down to your shops ethics. Are they selling customers parts they don’t need in the interest of getting more vehicles in? Or are they going to offer the customer the services they actually need.

 

[Timsdually]

I am hard on brakes. Lots of stop and go traffic. Tow a cargo trailer half the week. Truck is 3500 dually with Aisin.
My BIL owns a shop (not where I take my truck) and there are so many parts runners here for suppliers if you order a part it gets delivered pronto. rare to have something on back order.
If I am the mechanic I can take off the rotor and put a new one back on and be done with the brake job while the lathe is still turning.
I am in the camp of why put new pads on old rotors. There will be some kind of glaze at the very least or even some out of round. Start fresh.

I did mention my view point as being from a "production standpoint" for the shop.